RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the severity of climacteric symptoms (CS) and orgasmic dysfunction (OD), controlled by demographic, clinical, and partner variables. METHODS: We carried out a secondary analysis of a multicenter Latin American cross-sectional study that surveyed sexually active women 40 to 59âyears old. We assessed CS (global, somatic, psychological, or urogenital domains) and OD. Also, we explored clinical variables and partner sexual conditions. We performed logistic regression models with nonparametric bootstrap resampling to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: We included data of 5,391 women in the analysis. Regarding CS, 24.8%, 10.8%, 28.4%, and 32.9% had respectively severe symptoms according to total, somatic, psychological, and urogenital domain scores of the Menopause Rating Scale. OD was found in 25.4% of women. The adjusted model (including menopausal status and partner sexual dysfunction) showed that severe CS increased the odds of OD (aORâ=â2.77; 95% CI: 2.41-3.19 [total Menopause Rating Scale score]; aORâ=â1.65; 95% CI: 1.37-2.00 [somatic domain]; aORâ=â2.02; 95% CI: 1.76-2.32 [psychological domain] and aORâ=â3.89; 95% CI: 3.40-4.45 [urogenital]). CONCLUSIONS: Severe CS were associated with OD independently of demographic, clinical, and partner variables. Severe urogenital symptoms had the strongest association.
Assuntos
Climatério , Disfunções Sexuais Fisiológicas , Disfunções Sexuais Psicogênicas , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiologia , Menopausa/psicologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Disfunções Sexuais Fisiológicas/epidemiologia , Disfunções Sexuais Psicogênicas/epidemiologia , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosAssuntos
Humanos , Feminino , Adolescente , Dismenorreia/diagnóstico , Dismenorreia/etiologia , Dismenorreia/terapiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and anxiety in middle-aged women. METHODS: We carried out a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter study of women between 40 and 59 years old from 11 Latin America countries. Anxiety was assessed using the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale. WHtR was calculated according to World Health Organization standards and categorized in tertiles: upper, middle, and lower using 0.45 and 0.6 as cutoff values. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% CIs were calculated by generalized linear models of Poisson family with robust standard errors, both crude and adjusted models based on statistical and epidemiological criteria. RESULTS: Data of a total of 5,580 women were analyzed. Mean age was 49.7â±â5.5 years, and 57.9% were postmenopausal. The 61.3% of women had anxiety and mean WHtR was 0.54â±â0.1. In the crude model, compared with women in lower tertile, those in the middle (PR: 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.13) and upper (PR: 1.23 95% CI, 1.07-1.29) WHtR tertile were significantly more likely to have anxiety. In the adjusted models, only women in upper tertile were, however, more likely of displaying anxiety than those in lower tertile (PR: 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08-1.18). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, WHtR was associated with anxiety in middle-aged women. It is advisable to further study this anthropometric measure in order for it to be incorporated in the routine clinical practice and evaluation of middle-aged women.
Assuntos
Ansiedade/epidemiologia , Razão Cintura-Estatura , Adulto , Ansiedade/fisiopatologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiologia , Modelos Lineares , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) has been recently linked with high plasma leptin levels. Our objective was to study if obese women, who have higher leptin levels, could have a higher frequency of MSP. We studied 6079 Latin-American women, 40-59 years old. Their epidemiological data were recorded and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Golberg Anxiety and Depression Scale and Insomnia Scale were applied. MSP was defined as a score ≥2 on MRS11. Women with MSP were slightly older, had fewer years of schooling and were more sedentary. They also complained of more severe menopausal symptoms (29.2% versus. 4.4%, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, they had a higher abdominal perimeter (87.2 ± 12.0 cm versus 84.6 ± 11.6 cm, p < 0.0001) and a higher prevalence of obesity (23.1% versus 15.2%, p < 0.0001). Compared to normal weight women, those with low body weight (IMC <18.5) showed a lower risk of MSP (OR 0.71; 95%CI, 0.42-1.17), overweight women had a higher risk (OR 1.64; 95%CI, 1.44-1.87) and obese women the highest risk (OR 2.06; 95%CI, 1.76-2.40). Logistic regression analysis showed that obesity is independently associated to MSP (OR 1.34; 95%CI, 1.16-1.55). We conclude that obesity is one identifiable risk factor for MSP in middle-aged women.
Assuntos
Dor Musculoesquelética/epidemiologia , Obesidade/epidemiologia , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Leptina/sangue , Menopausa/fisiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Dor Musculoesquelética/sangue , Dor Musculoesquelética/etiologia , Obesidade/sangue , Obesidade/complicações , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between anxiety and severe impairment of quality of life (QoL) in Latin American postmenopausal women. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter cross-sectional study among postmenopausal women aged 40 to 59 from 11 Latin American countries. We evaluated anxiety (The Goldberg Depression and Anxiety Scale), and QoL (Menopause Rating Scale [MRS]), and included sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, and anthropometric variables in the analysis. Poisson family generalized linear models with robust standard errors were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% CIs. There were two adjusted models: a statistical model that included variables associated with the outcomes in bivariate analyses, and an epidemiologic model that included potentially confounding variables from literature review. RESULTS: Data from 3,503 women were included; 61.9% had anxiety (Goldberg). Severe QoL impairment (total MRS score ≥17) was present in 13.7% of women, as well as severe symptoms (MRS subscales): urogenital (25.5%), psychological (18.5%), and somatic (4.5%). Anxiety was independently associated with severe QoL impairment and severe symptoms in the epidemiological (MRS total score: PR 3.6, 95% CI, 2.6-5.0; somatic: 5.1, 95% CI, 2.6-10.1; psychological: 2.8, 95% CI, 2.2-3.6; and urogenital: 1.4, 95% CI, 1.2-1.6) and the statistical model (MRS total score: PR 3.5, 95% CI, 2.6-4.9; somatic: 5.0, 95% CI, 2.5-9.9; psychological: 2.9, 95% CI, 2.2-3.7; and urogenital: 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.6). CONCLUSIONS: In this postmenopausal Latin American sample, anxiety was independently associated with severe QoL impairment. Hence, screening for anxiety in this population is important.
Assuntos
Ansiedade/epidemiologia , Pós-Menopausa/psicologia , Qualidade de Vida/psicologia , Adulto , Índice de Massa Corporal , Estudos Transversais , Depressão/epidemiologia , Escolaridade , Feminino , Doenças Urogenitais Femininas/epidemiologia , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pós-Menopausa/fisiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Previously, the REDLINC VI study showed that the main reason for the low use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) was its low rate of prescription by doctors. OBJECTIVE: To determine the use of MHT and perceived related risks among gynecologists. METHODS: A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire was delivered to certified gynecologists in 11 Latin American countries. RESULTS: A total of 2154 gynecologists were contacted, of whom 85.3% responded to the survey (n = 1837). Mean age was 48.1 ± 11.4 years; 55.5% were male, 20.3% were faculty members and 85% had a partner. Overall, 85.4% of gynecologists responded that they would use MHT if they had menopausal symptoms (81.8% in the case of female gynecologists) or prescribe it to their partner (88.2% in the case of male gynecologists; p < 0.001). Perceived risk related to MHT use (on a scale from 0 to 10) was higher among female than among male gynecologists (4.06 ± 2.09 vs. 3.83 ± 2.11, p < 0.02). The top two perceived reported risks were thromboembolism (women 33.6% vs. men 41.4%, p < 0.009) and breast cancer (women 38.5% vs. men 33.9%, p < 0.03). Overall, gynecologists reported prescribing MHT to 48.9% of their symptomatic patients (women 47.3% vs. men 50.2%, p < 0.03) and 86.8% currently prescribed non-hormonal remedies and 83.8% alternative therapies for the management of the menopause. Gynecologists who were older and academic professionals prescribed MHT more often. CONCLUSION: Although this Latin American survey showed that gynecologists are mostly supporters of MHT use (for themselves or their partners), this is not necessarily reflected in their clinical practice.
Assuntos
Terapia de Reposição de Estrogênios/estatística & dados numéricos , Ginecologia/estatística & dados numéricos , Menopausa , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Terapia de Reposição Hormonal , Humanos , América Latina , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Risco , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between sedentary lifestyle and the severity of menopausal symptoms and obesity in middle-aged women. METHODS: The Menopause Rating Scale, the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Athens Insomnia Scale were administered to 6,079 Latin American women aged 40 to 59 years. Sedentary lifestyle was defined as fewer than three weekly, 30-minute periods of physical activity. RESULTS: Sedentary women had more severe menopausal symptoms (total Menopause Rating Scale score: 9.57â±â6.71 vs 8.01â±â6.27 points, Pâ<â0.0001) and more depressive symptoms (Goldberg), anxiety (Goldberg), and insomnia (Athens Scale) compared with non-sedentary women. They also had greater mean waist circumference (86.2â±â12.3 vs 84.3â±â1.8âcm, Pâ<â0.0001) and a higher prevalence of obesity (20.9% vs 14.3%, Pâ<â0.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed that both obesity (odds ratio [OR] 1.52; 95% CI, 1.32-1.76) and severe menopausal symptoms (OR 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06-1.53), including insomnia and depressive mood, were positively associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Having a stable partner (OR 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76-0.96), using hormone therapy (OR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64-0.87) and having a higher educational level (OR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.60-0.74) were negatively related to sedentary lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle in this middle-aged Latin American female sample which was associated with more severe menopausal symptoms and obesity.
Assuntos
Menopausa/etnologia , Obesidade/etnologia , Comportamento Sedentário/etnologia , Adulto , Ansiedade/etnologia , Ansiedade/etiologia , Estudos Transversais , Depressão/epidemiologia , Depressão/etnologia , Feminino , Fogachos/epidemiologia , Fogachos/etnologia , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiologia , América Latina/etnologia , Menopausa/psicologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Obesidade/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Distúrbios do Início e da Manutenção do Sono/epidemiologia , Distúrbios do Início e da Manutenção do Sono/etnologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity increases during female mid-life and although many factors have been identified, data from Latin America is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess factors related to obesity among middle-aged women and determine the association with depressive symptoms, sedentary lifestyle and other factors. METHODS: A total of 6079 women aged 40-59 years of 11 Latin American countries were asked to fill out the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Menopause Rating Scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a general questionnaire containing personal socio-demographic data, anthropometric measures and lifestyle information. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2). RESULTS: Obesity was observed in 18.5% and sedentary lifestyle in 63.9%. A 55.5% presented vasomotor symptoms, 12.2% had severe menopausal symptoms and 13.2% used hormone therapy for the menopause. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was 46.5% and anxiety 59.7%. Our logistic regression model found that significant factors associated to obesity included: arterial hypertension (OR: 1.87), depressive symptoms (OR: 1.57), sedentary lifestyle (OR: 1.50) diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.34), higher number of individuals living at home (OR: 1.31), sleep problems (OR:1.22), anxiety (OR: 1.21), having a stable partner (OR: 1.20), parity (OR: 1.16) and vasomotor symptoms (OR:1.14). A lower risk for obesity was found among women using hormonal contraceptives (OR: 0.69). CONCLUSION: Obesity in middle-aged women is the consequence of the interaction of multiple factors. It was associated to hypertension, depressive symptoms, sedentary lifestyle, climacteric symptoms and other factors.
Assuntos
Transtorno Depressivo/epidemiologia , Obesidade Mórbida , Comportamento Sedentário , Adulto , Chile/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Transtorno Depressivo/etiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Menopausa , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Distúrbios do Início e da Manutenção do Sono/epidemiologia , Distúrbios do Início e da Manutenção do Sono/etiologia , Inquéritos e Questionários , Saúde da MulherRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Muscle and joint aches (MJA) are frequently observed among menopausal women. They impair quality of life and are a burden to the healthcare system. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relation between MJA and several variables related to the menopause. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 8373 healthy women aged 40-59 years, accompanying patients to healthcare centers in 18 cities of 12 Latin American countries, were asked to fill out the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and a questionnaire containing personal data. RESULTS: Mean age of the whole sample was 49.1±5.7 years, 48.6% were postmenopausal and 14.7% used hormone therapy (HT). A 63.0% of them presented MJA, with a 15.6% being scored as severe to very severe according to the MRS (scores 3 or 4). Logistic regression model determined that vasomotor symptoms (OR: 6.16; 95% CI, 5.25-7.24), premature menopause (OR: 1.58; 95% CI, 1.02-2.45), postmenopausal status (OR: 1.43; 95% CI, 1.20-1.69), psychiatric consultation (OR: 1.93; 95% CI, 1.60-2.32) and the use of psychotropic drugs (OR: 1.35; 95% CI, 1.08-1.69) were significantly related to the presence of severe-very severe MJA. Other significant variables included: age, tobacco consumption and lower education. Self perception of healthiness (OR: 0.49; 95% CI, 0.41-0.59), private healthcare access (OR: 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67-0.88) and HT use (OR: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62-0.91) were significantly related to a lower risk for the presence of severe-very severe MJA. CONCLUSION: In this large mid-aged sample the prevalence of MJA was high, which was significantly associated to menopausal variables, especially vasomotor symptoms. This association may suggest a potential role of mid-life female hormonal changes in the pathogenesis of MJA.
Assuntos
Artralgia/epidemiologia , Menopausa/fisiologia , Doenças Musculares/epidemiologia , Adulto , Artralgia/etiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doenças Musculares/etiologia , Sistema Vasomotor/fisiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although sleep disturbances are common during female mid-life, few studies have described in detail the prevalence of this problem and related risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances in mid-aged women using validated tools. Assessment of determinants capable of influencing the prevalence of insomnia and poor sleep quality was also performed. METHODS: A total of 6079 women aged 40-59 of 11 Latin American countries were invited to fill out the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), the Brief Scale of Abnormal Drinking and a general socio-demographic questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, 56.6% of surveyed women suffered of either insomnia, poor sleep quality, or both. Specifically, 43.6% and 46.2% presented insomnia and poor sleep quality in accordance to the AIS and the PSQI respectively. The prevalence of insomnia increased with female age (from 39.7% in those aged 40-44 to 45.2% in those aged 55-59, p<0.0001) and menopausal stage (from 39.5% in premenopausal aged 40-44 to 46.3% in late postmenopausal ones, p<0.0001). "Awakening during the night" (AIS: Item 2) was the most highly rated of all items and contributing in a higher degree (mean 16%) to the total score of the scale in all menopausal phases. Sleep quality also worsened with age and menopausal status, impairment particularly affecting sleep efficiency and latency and the increased use of hypnotics. Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), depressive mood and anxiety were associated to sleep disturbances. Women presenting sleep disturbances displayed a 2-fold increase in the severity of menopausal symptoms (higher total MRS scores) which was translated into a 6-8 times higher risk of impaired quality of life. Logistic regression analysis determined that female age, the presence of chronic disease, troublesome drinking, anxiety, depression, VMS, drug use (hypnotics and hormone therapy) were significant risk factors related to the presence of sleep disturbances. Higher educational level related to less insomnia and better sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Insomnia and poor sleep quality were highly prevalent in this mid-aged female sample in which the influence of age and the menopause was only modest and rather linked to menopausal symptoms already occurring since the premenopause.
Assuntos
Menopausa , Distúrbios do Início e da Manutenção do Sono/epidemiologia , Sono , Vigília , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas , Ansiedade/complicações , Doença Crônica , Depressão/complicações , Escolaridade , Terapia de Reposição de Estrogênios , Feminino , Fogachos/complicações , Humanos , Hipnóticos e Sedativos/uso terapêutico , América Latina/epidemiologia , Modelos Logísticos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Qualidade de Vida , Fatores de Risco , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Distúrbios do Início e da Manutenção do Sono/tratamento farmacológico , Distúrbios do Início e da Manutenção do Sono/etiologia , Distúrbios do Início e da Manutenção do Sono/psicologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine vasomotor symptom (VMS) prevalence, duration, and impact on quality of life in middle-aged women using a validated menopausal tool. METHODS: The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and an itemized questionnaire containing personal sociodemographic data were used to examine 8,373 women aged 40 to 59 years from 22 healthcare centers in 12 Latin American countries. RESULTS: Less than half (48.8%) of all women studied were postmenopausal, 14.7% used hormone therapy (HT), 54.5% presented VMS of any degree, and 9.6% presented severe/bothersome symptoms. The rate of VMS (any degree) significantly increased from one menopausal stage to the next. HT users presented more VMS (any degree) than did nonusers (58.6% vs 53.8%, P = 0.001). When surgical postmenopausal women were compared, non-HT users displayed a higher prevalence of severe VMS (16.1% vs 9.0%, P = 0.0001). The presence of VMS of any degree was related to a more impaired quality of life (higher total MRS score; odds ratio, 4.7; 95% CI, 4.1-5.3). This effect was even higher among women presenting severe VMS. Logistic regression analysis determined that the presence of severe psychological/urogenital symptoms (MRS), lower educational level, natural perimenopause-postmenopause status, nulliparity, surgical menopause, and living at high altitude were significant risk factors for severe VMS. HT use was related to a lower risk. A second regression model determined that surgical menopause, intense psychological/urogenital symptoms, and a history of psychiatric consultation were factors related to severe VMS persisting into the late postmenopausal stage (5 or more years). CONCLUSIONS: In this Latin American middle-aged series, VMS prevalence was high, persisting into the late postmenopausal phase in a high rate and severely impairing quality of life. HT use was related to a lower risk of severe VMS.
Assuntos
Terapia de Reposição de Estrogênios , Fogachos , Menopausa , Sistema Vasomotor/fisiopatologia , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Fogachos/tratamento farmacológico , Fogachos/epidemiologia , Fogachos/fisiopatologia , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Qualidade de Vida , Fatores de Risco , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Fatores de Tempo , Saúde da MulherRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and associated risk factors among middle-aged Latin American women using one validated instrument. METHODS: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was applied to 7,243 healthy women aged 40 to 59 years who were users of 19 healthcare systems from 11 Latin American countries. An itemized questionnaire containing personal and partner sociodemographic data was also filled out. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD age of surveyed women was 49.0 +/- 5.7 years, with 11.6 years of schooling on average. There were 55.1% of women who were married, 46.8% who were postmenopausal, 14.1% who used hormonal therapy (HT), and 25.6% who were sexually inactive. Among those who were active (n = 5,391), the mean +/- SD total FSFI score was 25.2 +/- 5.9 and 56.8% of them presented SD (FSFI total score
Assuntos
Disfunções Sexuais Fisiológicas/diagnóstico , Disfunções Sexuais Fisiológicas/epidemiologia , Disfunções Sexuais Psicogênicas/diagnóstico , Disfunções Sexuais Psicogênicas/epidemiologia , Saúde da Mulher , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Escolaridade , Terapia de Reposição de Estrogênios , Feminino , Nível de Saúde , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiologia , Modelos Logísticos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Razão de Chances , Pós-Menopausa , Fatores de Risco , Cônjuges , Doenças VaginaisRESUMO
La osteoporosis, si bien es una patología de la edad adulta, comienza a gestarse en etapas muy tempranas de la vida. La nutrición ordenada, la actividad física apropiada desde los primeros años, la edad de la menarca y los niveles apropiados de esteroides sezuales determinan la adquisión de un adecuado pico de masa ósea. La edad de la menarca y la optimización del pico de masa ósea imprimen un gran efecto en la prevención y disminución del rieso de fractura en la edad adulta. El uso de anticonceptivos hormonales en la etapa de la adolescencia puede ser necesario como recurso terapéutico, además de la prevención de un embarazo no deseado. La edad de inicio, el tiempo de uso, el tipo de compuesto, así como la dosis de estrógeno y el tipo de gestágeno empleados, son variables para tener en cuenta por su impacto en el pico de masa ósea. Los numerosos estudios publicados hasta la fecha brindan resultados controvertidos. Sin embargo, es importante considerar el alto recambio óseo en esta etapa, donde predomina la modelación sobre la remodelación, por lo que, a la luz de los conocimientos actuales, cuando se indique un contraceptivo hormonal a este grupo etario, se sugiere tener en cuenta una dosis no menor de 30 mcg de etinilestradiol y un gestágeno (si no hay contraindicaciones, como por ejemplo, hiperandrogenismo) con leve acción androgénica. A esto debe sumarse la recomendación de una adecuada nutrición y actividad física.
Assuntos
Adolescente , Anticoncepcionais Orais Hormonais , Densidade Óssea , Estrogênios , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Several studies indicate that quality of life (QoL) is impaired in middle aged women. Assessment of QoL using a single validated tool in Latin American climacteric women has not been reported to date at large scale. OBJECTIVE: The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess QoL among middle aged Latin American women and determine factors associated with severe menopausal symptoms (QoL impairment). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 8373 healthy women aged 40-59 years, accompanying patients to healthcare centres in 18 cities of 12 Latin American countries, were asked to fill out the MRS and a questionnaire containing socio-demographic, female and partner data. RESULTS: Mean age of the entire sample was 49.1+/-5.7 years (median 49), a 62.5% had 12 or less years of schooling, 48.8% were postmenopausal and 14.7% were on hormonal therapy (HT). Mean total MRS score (n=8373) was 11.3+/-8.5 (median 10); for the somatic subscale, 4.1+/-3.4; the psychological subscale, 4.6+/-3.8 and the urogenital subscale, 2.5+/-2.7. The prevalence of women presenting moderate to severe total MRS scorings was high (>50%) in all countries, Chile and Uruguay being the ones with the highest percentages (80.8% and 67.4%, respectively). Logistic regression determined that impaired QoL (severe total MRS score > or =17) was associated with the use of alternatives therapies for menopause (OR: 1.47, 95% CI [1.22-1.76], p=0.0001), the use of psychiatric drugs (OR: 1.57, 95% CI [1.29-1.90], p=0.0001), attending a psychiatrist (OR: 1.66, 95% CI [1.41-1.96], p=0.0001), being postmenopausal (OR: 1.48, 95% CI [1.29-1.69, p=0.0001]), having 49 years or more (OR: 1.24, 95% CI [1.08-1.42], p=0.001), living at high altitude (OR: 1.43, 95% CI [1.25-1.62, p=0.0001]) and having a partner with erectile dysfunction (OR: 1.69, 95% CI [1.47-1.94, p=0.0001]) or premature ejaculation (OR: 1.34, 95% CI [1.16-1.55, p=0.0001]). Lower risk for impaired QoL was related to living in a country with a lower income (OR: 0.77, 95% CI [0.68-0.88], p=0.0002), using HT (OR: 0.65, 95% CI [0.56-0.76], p=0.0001) and engaging in healthy habits (OR: 0.59, 95% CI [0.50-0.69], p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge this is the first and largest study assessing QoL in a Latin American climacteric series with a high prevalence of impairment related to individual female and male characteristics and the demography of the studied population.